Stolen mortar turns up on roadside

A mortar stolen this week from the RSL at Murray Bridge, south-east of Adelaide, has been found.

Police said it was found by the side of a road at Tailem Bend.

They said a tow truck driver found it by the side of Westbrook Road about 10:30am ACST.

Police said the driver helped them move the World War I green mortar, which weighs almost half-a- tonne, back to its home outside the RSL premises.

Sub-branch president Ray Duthie said the mortar was donated to the RSL by a local woman who had lost her son at war.

"When the senior sergeant of the local police here announced that it had been found it was, the applause that went up was like winning a grand final football match, it was incredible inside there," he said.

Police are still investigating who took the war relic some time late on Monday or early on Tuesday.

The club plans to anchor the mortar more securely to prevent any repeat of the theft.